The environmental impact of various forms of waste PET bottle management

Abstract

ABSTRACT The paper analyses the environmental impact of three forms of waste PET bottle management, i.e. through recycling, energy recovery and as a result of its disposal. The analysis was carried out using the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) technique enabling comprehensive assessment covering both direct and indirect environmental impacts. The research carried out included changes resulting from technological progress and the development of environmental protection technologies, which may have a significant impact on the obtained results. An attempt has been made to take into account these changes and assess the environmental benefits of various forms of PET bottle management. The study confirmed the results of research carried out by Chinese and British scientists indicating that the most environmentally friendly form of waste PET bottle management is recycling (1.38 mPt). Energy recovery (2.73 mPt) shows a higher environmental burden, while disposal is the most unfavourable form of waste PET bottles management (7.31 mPt). As a result, despite differences in environmental technologies used a decade ago and today, as well as legal differences in force in the compared regions of the world, the main conclusions of the study remain valid. For this reason, it is important adopt environmentally friendly waste PET bottles management and to include them in the global material balance for the implementation of circular economy solutions that correspond directly with the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda of Sustainable Development.